Wanted man arrested after hitand-run crash

Passenger was turned over to St. Clair Shores police

A driver and his passenger who were involved in a hit-and-run crash in Melvindale had numerous things to contend with after being pulled over by an officer.

The incident began at around 1:45 p.m. on Nov. 26 after officers were dispatched to the area of Homestead and Eddon streets on a report of a hitand-run accident. A black Dodge sedan ran a stop sign and struck another vehicle.

Police were told that the at-fault driver, a Black male with dreadlocks who was wearing red and black clothing, yelled and swore at the victim before fleeing the scene.

As a Melvindale sergeant was just about to pull out of the Police Department parking lot, he spotted a black Dodge Avenger, with fresh damage to the front, barreling down Oakwood at a high rate of speed. The sergeant got behind the vehicle and pulled it over, calling for backup.

“The driver, whose story-telling skills were just as lousy as his driving, people, and get-away skills, changed his account of events numerous times.” Melvindale police said in a Facebook post detailing the incident. “He first claimed to have exchanged information with the other party, then admitted to lying, and stated he took a picture of the license plate of the other vehicle. The driver could not produce the picture and was again caught in a lie. The driver then blamed his lack of drivers ed training on not knowing what to do, before later stating that he learned he was allowed to speed up to 5 mph over the speed limit, in drivers ed.”

Police learned the driver, who purchased the vehicle weeks ago, had never titled or registered it. He also was using the prior owner’s license plate and did not have car insurance.

The driver was issued six tickets and sent on his way on foot. The vehicle was impounded.

Although the driver was allowed to walk away after being ticketed and having his car towed away, the same was not true for his 28-year-old passenger.

According to police, the man had a warrant for leaving the scene of a serious injury accident, along with a laundry list of other warrants. He was arrested and turned over to St. Clair Shores Police, who had been looking for him.

According to police, the man had a warrant for leaving the scene of a serious injury accident, along with a laundry list of other warrants.